Kade didn't speak as he carried her through the forest.
Aria clung to him, barely aware of the deep gashes on his side or the way his breathing sounded like it hurt. The forest shifted around them—trees leaning close, wind whispering warnings. She felt like she was dreaming, but the heat of his skin and the tremble of his muscles told her it was all real.
By the time they reached a cabin hidden deep in the woods, her limbs were numb.
Kade kicked the door open with his foot and gently lowered her onto a leather couch. "Stay," he said, his voice like gravel.
He shifted to human form in a ripple of motion—fur retracting, claws fading, bones cracking back into place. The transformation was raw and painful, but he didn't cry out. He barely winced.
Aria's eyes widened. "Does it… hurt?"
Kade's back was turned, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then: "Every time."
---
The cabin was small but warm. A fire roared in the stone hearth. The walls were lined with books and weapons—blades, bows, ancient-looking artifacts. The air smelled like cedarwood and iron.
Kade moved to a cabinet and pulled out a first-aid kit. She watched as he stitched his own side without flinching.
"You shouldn't have followed me," he muttered.
"You said I was yours," Aria said softly. "I had to know what that meant."
Kade tied the last stitch, wiped the blood from his hands, and turned to face her.
"It means you're in danger now. Just by being near me."
"From what?"
He sat across from her. "There's more than one pack in Blackridge. Mine—the Nightfangs—we protect this land. But the others… they're not like us. They believe in power, bloodlines, control. And now that you're here, they'll come for you."
Aria's heart thudded. "Why me?"
"Because of what you are."
She leaned forward. "Then tell me. What am I?"
Kade studied her like he was weighing a hundred impossible truths.
"You're not fully human, Aria."
The room tilted slightly.
"What?"
"You're… part of something ancient. Something even you don't understand yet. Your scent—it's like fire and moonlight. It's awakened things in this town. Not just me. Others."
"But I don't remember anything. Before the fire, I have no past."
He nodded. "That wasn't an accident."
Aria's mouth went dry. "You think someone erased my memory?"
"I think someone tried to keep you hidden."
She gripped the blanket tighter. "Why would anyone do that?"
Kade looked into the flames. "Because you're more than just a fated mate. You're connected to a bloodline that was supposed to be extinct. A line of moonborns."
"Moonborns?"
He met her gaze. "Werewolves blessed—or cursed—by the first full moon. Born, not bitten. Rare. Powerful. Most died off generations ago in the war between packs. If you really are one of them…"
"What happens?"
"Then you're the spark that could start another war."
---
The door slammed open.
Kade was on his feet in an instant, fangs flashing.
But it was only a young man—tall, lean, with sandy hair and sharp green eyes.
"Kade," the boy said, panting. "They know."
Kade swore under his breath. "How?"
"She walked into their territory. The Thornspire wolves picked up her scent."
Aria stood. "What do you mean their territory? I didn't see any signs—"
"They don't need signs," the boy said. "You're new. They smell it."
"She needs protection," Kade growled.
"She needs training," the boy corrected. "Or she won't survive the next moonrise."
Kade looked at her then, his eyes heavy with something between anger and longing. "I didn't want to drag you into this."
"You didn't," Aria said. "I walked in on my own."
The boy tilted his head. "She's stubborn."
"She's mine," Kade said darkly.
Aria swallowed hard. "Then help me fight."
Both boys froze.
"You want to learn?" Kade asked.
"I want to survive," she replied. "Whatever I am, I want to understand it."
Kade's eyes darkened. "Then your training starts now."
---
The woods behind the cabin were a blur of shadows and starlight. The moon hung high, a silver coin in the sky.
Kade stood in the clearing, shirt off, his bare feet sinking into the grass. Aria faced him, heart pounding. The sandy-haired boy, who Kade introduced as Reid, leaned against a tree, arms crossed.
"First," Kade said, "you have to stop thinking like a human."
"I am human," she snapped.
"Not anymore," he replied. "The part of you that's wolf—that's the part you need to tap into now."
He circled her slowly. "Close your eyes."
She did.
"Breathe. Feel the pull. It's in your chest. Your blood. Listen to it."
She tried.
At first, there was only the sound of wind. Her heartbeat. The rustling leaves.
But then… something else.
A pulse.
A hum, low and ancient, like the echo of footsteps in her bones. Something vast and wild, stretching beneath her skin.
Her eyes snapped open.
"I felt it."
Kade smiled. "Good. Now use it."
He lunged without warning.
She ducked just in time.
He moved fast—too fast—and swept her leg out from under her. She landed hard, gasping.
"Again," he said.
She got up, gritting her teeth. They went again. Again. Again.
She fell every time.
---
Two hours passed.
Her body ached. Her palms were scraped. But her eyes—her eyes burned like fire.
"Last time," Kade said.
He lunged.
This time, she moved with him—not away.
She caught his shoulder, rolled with his weight, and twisted. He landed on his back with a thud, and she was on top of him, panting.
His lips parted in surprise—and then slowly curved.
"You're learning."
Their faces were inches apart.
The night stilled around them.
And in the space between heartbeats, his hand moved to her waist.
Their lips brushed.
Something inside her howled.
Then—
A sharp whistle split the night.
Reid.
"Not to ruin the moment," he called, "but we've got company."
Kade stood in a bl
ur, eyes flashing gold. "Get inside."
But Aria didn't move.
She turned slowly.
From the trees, six figures emerged.
Men. Women. All dressed in black. Eyes glowing red.
Not wolves.
Hunters.